Pro&Contra: Central European Studies in Humanities

Review on William McEvoy’s Reanimating Grief (Manchester University Press, 2024.)

Miklós Gergő Szintai-Major — 2026-01-28

Some constitutional questions in the context of secret information gathering subject to external permission by the national security services

Áron Ősze — 2026-01-28

A sense of security is a basic need of individuals and society, and one of the most important functions of the state. Among the state organs, the national security services are responsible for detecting and preventing elements that threaten the security of society. However, the national security services can only fulfil these tasks if they disclose as little as possible of their activities to the public. Closely related to this is the secret information gathering subject to external permission and which carries risks of intrusion into the private sphere. Of course, these agencies cannot operate without adequate constitutional control, which is clearly difficult given the nature of their operations. In my study, I examine one possible instrument of constitutional control over the Hungarian national security services. Among these, I will analyze the external authorization procedure for the secret information gathering regulated by the Hungarian National Security Act and the legal remedies associated with this procedure.

Dog Sleds for Ski Doos

Rita Nándori — 2026-01-28

This paper examines Inuit identity and the effects of contact with Western cultures. Alteration to tradition can be traced by establishing generational cohorts and examining their cultural differences. I stipulate that the present Inuit identity is molded from various received elements and in part from traditional inummariq. This paper argues that political yearnings have also changed Inuit identity by the introduction of a tertiary system of identification involving a pan-Inuit, a Canadian, and a cultural sub-group (miut group) affiliation. Finally, I believe that the creation of the semi-sovereign Nunavut Territory in 1999 introduced not only a regional form of identification (as opposed to other non-independent Inuit territories within established Canadian provinces and territories) but asserted Inuit autonomy over their land. I examine the success of the Nunavut Territory from a sociopolitical stance and assuming that Inuit wish to achieve success beyond gaining political autonomy.

The Rise of a New Redeemer?

Zsolt Csutak — 2026-01-28

The cyber era of the 21st century, defined by the dominance of computerized technologies, has also brought along new forms of social phenomena and even religiosity within the dimension of postmodernism and artificial intelligence. Social scientists, theologians, and information technology experts are puzzled by the new challenges of the new age featured by the prevalence of expanding AI-driven technologies, smart machinery, and various IT solutions, which tend to penetrate both the military domain and the realm of spirituality shaping the world of trans-humanism. The question is whether a new form of science and technology-based pseudo-religion is about to descend from the virtual heaven in the form of AI-driven redemption and savior or radical transformer of human civilization? Will the new manifestations of postmodern technological divinity be able to alter the classic, transcendental religions and even substitute the services of human clergy?

Revolution or civil disobedience? – the interpretation of the taxi blockade in the Beszélő between 1990 and 1994

Bence Keresztes — 2026-01-28

In October 1990 taxi drivers protested against the rising fuel prices, which were introduced by the newly elected government after the change of regime. The event which later became known as the taxi blockade, divided the political parties and the Hungarian press. Many columnists interpreted it as an organized putsch attempt against the government or as a mass demonstration. In my study, I analyze the changing press coverage of the blockade in the early 90s in the magazine Beszélő (in English: the Speaker), which was a samizdat outlet during the late Kádár regime. The authors at first emphasized their fear from a possible violent riot on the streets and used as many as 56 metaphors. However, after the blockade they highlighted the non-violent way of it and interpreted it as a civil disobedience. In my study, I am willing to show how the authors saw the role of the civil society at these times, when political scientists and politicians struggled to define it as well. Furthermore, I attempt to answer the question: how the authors (some of them as former dissidents) could adapt a new language in the new democratic system.

Pro&Contra: Central European Studies in Humanities

Zoltán Peterecz — 2026-01-28